Goldach, Delhi has once again been named the most polluted capital city globally, marking its fourth consecutive year at the top of this undesirable list. A report from Swiss organization IQAir highlights the persistent challenges India faces regarding air quality, with alarming pollution levels affecting its vast population.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’ by IQAir reveals a concerning uptrend in Delhi’s air pollution, with PM2.5 levels escalating to 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 from 89.1 the previous year. This persistent issue has not only put Delhi at the forefront of global pollution rankings since 2018 but also underscores broader environmental challenges across India.

Begusarai, located in Bihar, was identified as the world’s most polluted metropolitan area, accentuating the pervasive air quality issues within the country. India’s overall air pollution standing is equally distressing, with the nation ranked as having the third-worst air quality among 134 evaluated countries in 2023.

The prevalence of Indian cities on the list of the world’s most polluted urban areas is stark, with 42 of the top 50 cities located within India. This widespread pollution presents serious health implications for the country’s population, estimated at over 1.36 billion people, signaling an urgent need for comprehensive and sustained environmental and public health strategies.